[Routine Order] Squadron Routine Orders (Cont'd) No. 66/43 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. Page 2. — Orders & Appendices

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Squadron Routine Orders (Cont'd) No. 66/43 21 Squadron S.A.A.F. Page 2.
Para. 239 Discipline. Personnel are adopting the habit of assembling around the Chance Light, when night flying is in progress.
In future no persons, other than those on Duty, will be allowed near the Chance Light. Spectators are to keep well away from the Chance Light and the runway.
All vehicles used by night flying personnel and spectators, must have black-out lights. Vehicles not fitted with black-out lights are to be used without lights.
Para. 240. NIGHT FLYING TRANSPORT. It has been observed that Flights and Sections are using transport for night-flying great in excess of requirements. Officers and N.C.O's in charge of flights and sections will in future co-operate and endeavour to use only the minimum transport.
Night-Flying spectators are not discouraged but are NOT to use individual transport for this purpose and must therefore arrange lifts with the transport required for night flying.
Para. 241.
(Sgd) J.F. Britz
LT. COL.
OFFICER COMMANDING: 21 SQUADRON: S.A.A.F.
NOTICE.
A lecture will be given to the N.M.C. outside their mops at 10.15 hours.
ALL N.M.C. details MUST ATTEND.
A lecture on "War Review" will be given in the Airmen's Mess at 20.00 hrs.
ALL RANKS NOT ON DUTY ARE REQUESTED TO ATTEND.
| Rank. | Name. | Med. Cat. | Mustering & Post Filled. |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/M | Armstrong M. | A1. | Wireless Operator. |
| " | Armstrong D.C. | A1. | Fitter 11 E. |
| " | Badenhorst P.J. | A1. | W/O.M. (Radio Mech) |
| " | Ballard K.C.W. | A1. | Wireless Operator |
| " | Baragwanath S. | A1. | F.M.E. |
| " | Baretti F.R. | A1. | Photographer |
| " | Barter D.L. | A1. | Electrician 11. |
| " | Bezuidenhout M.L. | A1. | F.M.A. |
| " | Bedbrook A.C.G. | A1. | Electrician 1. |
| " | Bekker H.E.D. | A1. | F.M.A. (Fabric Worker) |
| " | Bell R. | A1. | Electrician 11. |
| " | Biljon P. | A1. | Armourer |
| " | Botes F.R. | A1. | Telephone Operator |
| " | Boonzaaier W.F. | A1. | Armourer |
| " | Bouwer D. | A1. | Fitter 11 A. |
| " | Bouwer B.D. | A1. | Fitter 11 E. |
| " | Brokensha C.C. | A1. | Electrician 1. |
| " | Bush A.M.K. | A1. | Radio Mech. |
| " | Case D.E. | A1. | Clerk G.D. (Refuelling) |
| " | Clark E.W.J. | A1. | F.M.A. (Mech. M.T) |
| " | Clark E.O. | A1. | Instrument Repairer |
| " | Clark W. | A1. | Welder |
| " | Clegg L.W. | A1. | Electrician 11. |
| " | Cramer L.S. | A1. | Mechanic M.T. |
| " | Cunningham J.E. | A1. | Electrician 1. |
| " | Davison J. | A1. | Armourer |
| " | Davison T.W. | A1. | Fitter 11 E. |
| " | De Villiers A. | A1. | do |
| " | De Villiers P.V. | A1. | Armourer |
| " | De Villiers T.H. | A1. | Electrician 11. |
| " | Diamond J.H. | A1. | Fitter 11 A. |
| " | Diesel V.W. | A1. | F.M.E. |
| " | Dodd H.N. | A1. | Fitter 11 A. |
| " | Eatwell D.T. | A1. | F.M.A. 8/...... |

Transcriber's Notes

Transcriber's Notes
* Expanded Abbreviations:
* S.A.A.F.: South African Air Force.
* LT. COL.: Lieutenant Colonel.
* N.C.O's: Non-Commissioned Officers.
* N.M.C.: Native Military Corps.
* Observations on Individuals:
* Lt. Col. J.F. Britz, D.F.C.: Jacobus "Jack" Frederik Britz was the Officer Commanding of No. 21 Squadron SAAF. He was a highly respected leader who personally led numerous hazardous night-time operational sorties during the Italian campaign.
* Location and Historical Context:
* Current Location: On September 9, 1943, the squadron was based at Cuticchi in Sicily (near the Catania plain). They were in the process of supporting the invasion of the Italian mainland.
* Operation Avalanche: This order was signed on the day the Allies landed at Salerno, Italy.
* The Chance Light: A powerful portable floodlight used to illuminate runways for night take-offs and landings. The order to stay away from it was both a safety measure and a security precaution to maintain "black-out" conditions against enemy air raids.
* The N.M.C.: The Native Military Corps was a non-combatant branch of the South African Union Defence Force composed of black South African soldiers who provided essential support, guard, and logistics duties for the squadron.
* War Review Lecture: These lectures were standard educational and motivational tools used to keep personnel informed of the broader strategic progress of the war across different theaters.

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Verification: The document 276-2__3.jpg is a nominal roll of "Other Ranks" and does not contain a specific 'Date' column; however, it is verified as the correct image by the first entry: "114668V A/M Armstrong M."
Transcriber's Notes
* Military Abbreviations Expanded:
* A/M: Air Mechanic.
* Med. Cat. A1: Medical Category A1 (fit for full duties).
* Fitter 11 E / 11 A: Fitter Grade II Engines or Airframes.
* W/O.M.: Wireless Operator Mechanic.
* F.M.E.: Flight Mechanic Engines.
* F.M.A.: Flight Mechanic Airframes.
* Mech. M.T: Mechanic, Motor Transport.
* Clerk G.D.: Clerk, General Duties.
* Observations on Individuals:
* A/M Dodd H.N.: This individual is likely the "A/M Dodd, N." listed in the September 4th Routine Orders as requiring a dental parade.
* A/M Eatwell D.T.: Likely the same "Eatwell, D.C." (possibly a transcription or clerical variance) also summoned for dental treatment in the same order.
* Mustering Diversity: The roll demonstrates the specialized technical nature of No. 21 Squadron SAAF, requiring photographers (Baretti F.R.) for strike assessment, fabric workers (Bekker H.E.D.) for airframe maintenance, and dedicated refuelling clerks (Case D.E.).
* Location and Historical Context:
* This document constitutes part of the personnel records for No. 21 Squadron, South African Air Force (SAAF) during the Italian Campaign in September 1943.
* The squadron was operating from Cuticchi, Sicily, as part of the Desert Air Force.
* At this time, the squadron was equipped with Martin Baltimore light bombers, providing critical night interdiction against German retreat routes (e.g., Eboli, Auletta, Potenza) following the Allied landings at Salerno (Operation Avalanche).
* The "A1" medical categories for the entire list underscore the requirement for high physical readiness as the squadron prepared for the grueling winter campaign ahead in the Italian mountains.

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Verification: The document does not contain a specific 'Date' column, but the date written in the header to identify this image is 10th September, 1943.